Internal shank for footwear having independent toe platforms

ABSTRACT

An article of footwear for increased athleticism utilizing independently articulating toe platforms. The footwear includes a first toe platform and a second toe platform disposed in a toe portion of the footwear that are either physically separated from one another via a cut in the toe portion or a flexible segment extending through the toe portion. A toe post is configured to engage between a first toe of a user&#39;s foot and a second toe of the user&#39;s foot. The first toe is configured to contact the first toe platform and the second toe is configured to contact the second toe platform. Additional toe platforms and/or toe posts may be utilized. The footwear may include a topsole, a midsole and an outsole. A stiffening agent may be disposed between the midsole and the outsole for resisting bending of the footwear and/or for helping protect the user&#39;s foot from external objects.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present invention relates generally to footwear and improvements thereto and more particularly pertains to athletic footwear with independent toe articulation and improvements thereto.

2. Description of the Related Art

Designing footwear to balance both athleticism and wearability has proven a source of difficulty when utilizing conventional footwear design characteristics. As the athleticism of a shoe or sport sandal increases, the wearability or comfort level of such apparel often can diminish. During athletic movement, the foot of a user may be rapidly shifting, twisting or flexing in order to make frictional contact with the ground through the footwear in order to either propel the user in a desired direction or to abruptly halt the user. Any slippage or movement of the foot within the shoe results in a loss of athleticism for the user since the footwear is not optimally transmitting the forces from the user's foot to the ground below. Thus, to most efficiently accommodate such activity, conventional athletic footwear must be fastened tightly around the user's foot, typically through the use of laces or Velcro straps capable of securing the footwear firmly, so that minimal movement of the foot within the confines of the footwear is permitted. Unfortunately, such a tightly secured fitment can be both uncomfortable and unhealthy for the user over extended time periods due to the constriction of their foot.

To help combat these issues, footwear with independent toe pockets for encompassing each toe was developed. This footwear, made to fit around a user's foot like a glove, was typically made of a flexible material that could slide completely over the user's foot and fully surround each toe via five receptacle toe pockets. In this manner, the previous problems of athletic footwear requiring extreme external tightening methods for securing the footwear to the user's foot were reduced since the individual toe pockets helped provide additional contact points between the user's toes, internally securing the user's foot and the footwear to maintain the two in contact with one another. Thus, medial and lateral slippage between the foot and the footwear was minimized without requiring tight cinching of the footwear via straps or buckles since each toe was physically surrounded by its own individual pocket.

Unfortunately, footwear with toe pockets have several undesirable consequences. Due to the gloved fitment of the footwear on the user's foot, a light, flexible material is used for manufacturing in order to allow the user's foot to bend or flex with the footwear during movement and to allow for use of the footwear by varying foot sizes and shapes. Indeed, the footwear acts similar to a second skin surrounding the user's foot and further constricts the foot when compared against conventional footwear. While this material allowed for some minimal protection to the foot, the user ran a risk of particularly sharp objects (e.g., rocks, nails, broken glass, etc.) on the ground penetrating the thin, flexible outsole material and puncturing the skin. The lack of a stronger, more penetration resistant component of the footwear for helping shield the user's foot kept such footwear from being viable except in circumstances where the user was unlikely to encounter any such hazards. Moreover, if a user desired to wear socks in an effort to lessen this risk to their feet, special socks with individual toe compartments needed to first be purchased before such footwear could be used. Articles of footwear with toe pockets were also more inconvenient to put on or remove than standard footwear due to their need to individually find, fit and encompass each toe in its intended pocket.

Therefore, there is a need for an article of footwear design that allows for increased athleticism during use without requiring significant tightening of the footwear to the user's foot and without the undesirable consequences of footwear with separate pockets for receiving each of the individual toes of a user's foot. Ideally, the footwear would provide sufficient protection to the user and also be easy to put on and take off. The footwear would also ideally be inexpensive to construct and allow for improved transmittal of forces from a user's foot to the ground beneath the footwear, particularly when traversing rugged, uneven terrain.

SUMMARY

An internal shank apparatus having independent toe platforms for allowing independent articulation in an article of footwear is described. In one embodiment, a shank for footwear may include a base having a heel end and a toe end, the base configured to be coupled within a sole of the footwear. The base may include a first planar element positioned at the toe end of the base and a second planar element positioned at the toe end of the base, the second planar element adjacent to the first planar element. The first planar element and the second planar element may be configured to independently move with respect to each other.

In another embodiment, an internal shank for an article of footwear may include a base having a heel portion and a toe portion, the base adapted to be molded within a sole of the article of footwear. A first cut is disposed through the toe portion of the base and extends along a first axis, the first cut separating a first platform and a second platform of the base. A second cut is disposed through the toe portion of the base adjacent to the first cut and extends along a second axis, the second cut separating a third platform of the base from the second platform of the base. A third cut is disposed through the toe portion of the base adjacent to the second cut and extends along a third axis, the third cut separating a fourth platform of the base from the third platform of the base. A fourth cut is disposed through the toe portion of the base adjacent to the third cut and extends along a fourth axis, the fourth cut separating a fifth platform of the base from the fourth platform of the base.

In yet another embodiment, an internal stiffening member for an athletic sandal having a midsole and an outsole with independently articulating toe platforms may include a base coupled between the midsole and the outsole of the sandal, the base having a first platform and a second platform separated from the first platform via a cut in the base. A first protrusion may be disposed on the first platform extending through the outsole and a second protrusion may be disposed on the second platform exte4nding through the outsole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. Component parts shown in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and may be exaggerated to better illustrate the important features of the present invention. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the different views, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view of an article of footwear having a plurality of separated toe platforms and a plurality of toe posts in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2A is a top view of a topsole for an article of footwear having a plurality of separated toe platforms and a plurality of toe posts in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2B is a top view of the topsole of FIG. 2A connected with a midsole for an article of footwear having a plurality of separated toe platforms and a plurality of toe posts in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3A is a bottom view of a midsole connected with a shank for an article of footwear having a plurality of separated toe platforms and a plurality of toe posts in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3B is a side view of the midsole connected with the shank of FIG. 3A for an article of footwear having a plurality of separated toe platforms and a plurality of toe posts in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4A is a bottom view of an outsole for an article of footwear having a plurality of separated toe platforms and a plurality of toe posts in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4B is a side view of the outsole of FIG. 4A for an article of footwear having a plurality of separated toe platforms and a plurality of toe posts in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of an article of footwear having a plurality of separated toe platforms and a plurality of toe posts in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a top view of an article of footwear having two separated toe platforms and a plurality of toe posts in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7A is a side view of a midsole connected with a shank for an article of footwear having two separated toe platforms and a plurality of toe posts in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7B is a side view of an outsole for connection with the midsole of FIG. 7A for an article of footwear having two separated toe platforms and a plurality of toe posts in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7C is a side view of an assembled unit having the outsole and the midsole of FIGS. 7A-7B for an article of footwear having two separated toe platforms and a plurality of toe posts in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a midsole connected with a shank for an article of footwear having two separated toe platforms and a plurality of toe posts in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of an outsole for an article of footwear having two separated toe platforms and a plurality of toe posts in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a side view of an article of footwear having a two separated toe platforms and a plurality of toe posts in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 11 is a top view of two articles of footwear with separated toe platforms and a single toe post in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In reference to FIG. 1, a top view of an article of footwear (e.g., a sandal) 100 is shown. The footwear 100 has a sole with a heel end or portion 102 and a toe end or portion 104. During use, a wearer of the footwear 100 positions his or her foot so that the heel of their foot contacts the sole of the footwear 100 at the heel end 102 and the toes of their foot contact the sole of the footwear 100 at the toe end 104. The sole may include a topsole 106 and a midsole 152, as discussed in greater detail herein.

The midsole 152 of the footwear 100 has a plurality of cuts (120, 122, 124, 126) disposed at the toe end 104 of the footwear 100. The cuts (120, 122, 124, 126) are positioned from the outer edge of the toe end 104 of the footwear 100 and extend inwards towards the heel end 102 of the footwear, as discussed in greater detail herein. Thus, the plurality of cuts (120, 122, 124, 126) form a plurality of planar platforms (131, 133, 135, 137, 139), as discussed in greater detail herein. In use, each of the plurality of platforms (131, 133, 135, 137, 139) is configured to receive or contact one of the five toes of the wearer's foot.

An upper 110 is connected with the sole of the footwear 100. The upper 110 may be a strap secured to the sole at various contact locations. The upper 110 maintains the sole of the footwear 100 in a close proximity to the foot so that the wearer can move his or her foot without the footwear 100 becoming too far removed. A first contact location 112 may be positioned along an outer side or lateral edge (e.g., a right side of the footwear 100 when the footwear 100 is viewed from the top perspective). Similarly, a second contact location 113 may be positioned along an inner side or lateral edge (e.g., a left side of the footwear 100 when the footwear 100 is viewed from the top perspective). In this manner, the upper 110 extends across a top portion of the foot of the wearer during use, in front of the wearer's ankle and behind the wearer's toes.

The upper 110 is also fastened near the toe end 104 of the sole via a plurality of toe posts (114, 115, 116, 117). Each of the plurality of toe posts (114, 115, 116, 117) secures the upper 110 near the toe end 104 of the sole of the footwear 100 at locations corresponding to each of the plurality of cuts (120, 122, 124, 126). In an alternative embodiment, any number of toe posts (e.g., one toe post) or two cuts (e.g., one toe cut) may be utilized, as discussed in greater detail herein. For example, the first cut 120 may extend substantially along a first axis or line from the toe end 104 towards the heel end 102. The first toe post 114 may engage with the sole adjacent to the first cut 120 and substantially in-line with the first axis of the first cut 120. Similarly, the second cut 122 may extend substantially along a second axis or line from the toe end 104 towards the heel end 102. The second toe post 115 may engage with the sole adjacent to the second cut 122 and substantially in-line with the second axis of the second cut 122. The third cut 124 may also extend substantially along a third axis or line from the toe end 104 towards the heel end 102. The third toe post 116 may engage with the sole adjacent to the third cut 124 and substantially in-line with the third axis of the third cut 124. Finally, the fourth cut 126 may extend substantially along a fourth axis or line from the toe end 104 towards the heel end 102. The fourth toe post 117 may engage with the sole adjacent to the fourth cut 126 and substantially in-line with the fourth axis of the fourth cut 122. Thus, during use, the wearer's foot engages or contacts each of the toe posts (114, 115, 116, 117) in between each of the wearer's five toes, separating each of the five toes onto the respective platforms (131, 133, 135, 137, 139). These additional points of contact with the wearer's foot via the toe posts (114, 115, 116, 117) allow for increased athleticism of the footwear 100.

The platforms (131, 133, 135, 137, 139) may make contact with the wearer only on a bottom surface of the wearer's foot and thus do not encircle or encapsulate the wearer's toes. Such a configuration allows for easy slip-on or slip-off of the footwear 100 while still providing improved athleticism, fit, comfort and/or foot health, especially over uneven terrain. For example, each of the platforms (131, 133, 135, 137, 139) may independently articulate when transmitting forces between the wearer's foot and the ground beneath the footwear 100. When encountering uneven terrain, instead of bending the entire toe portion at once, like is necessary in traditional foot apparel, the footwear 100 may independently flex at each toe, providing better frictional grip along the bottom of the footwear 100 and improved feedback to the wearer. In addition, the footwear 100 resembles traditional footwear in appearance, as opposed to gloved footwear that encapsulates each toe, so may be more visually attractive to users that do not wish to draw extra attention to their feet when out in public.

Turning next to FIG. 2A, a top view of a topsole 200 for an article of footwear having a plurality of separated toe platforms and a plurality of toe posts is shown. The topsole 200 may be the same or similar to the topsole 106 of FIG. 1. The topsole 200 has a heel end 202 and a toe end 204 and may be used for providing additional gripping, padding or comfort features to a wearer when in use. When the topsole 200 is assembled with other layers of the article of footwear, the heel end 202 of the topsole 200 is configured to make contact or engage with a heel portion of a foot and the toe end 204 of the topsole 200 is configured to make contact or engage with a portion of the foot preceding the toes. In certain embodiments, the toe end 204 of the topsole 200 may be designed to extend to the outer edge or perimeter of the assembled footwear at the toe end 204. A middle portion 206 utilizes a curvature at the medial and lateral sides in order to match the typical shape of a human foot.

FIG. 2B shows a top view of a combination 250 of the topsole 200 from FIG. 2A connected with a midsole 252 for the article of footwear having a plurality of separated toe platforms and a plurality of toe posts. The midsole 252 may be the same or similar to the midsole 152 of FIG. 1. The topsole 200 engages or couples with the midsole 252 and is secured in place, for example with adhesives or any other molding process during the manufacturing of the combination 250.

The midsole 252 includes a plurality of cuts (260, 262, 264, 266), the same or similar as previously described for FIG. 1. The cuts (260, 262, 264, 266) define a plurality of substantially planar platforms (271, 273, 275, 277, 279) and extend completely through the midsole 252 so that each of the platforms (271, 273, 275, 277, 279) may independently articulate with respect to each other. Each of the platforms (271, 273, 275, 277, 279) is configured to make contact with one of the toes of a user's foot when the article of footwear is in use. The platforms (271, 273, 275, 277, 279) do not encompass or surround the toes of the user's foot and may only make contact with a bottom surface of the user's toes. The platforms (271, 273, 275, 277, 279) may vary in size and shape with respect to one another in order to accommodate the physical differences in a typical human foot. For example, the first platform 271 may be larger in width than any of the remaining four platforms (273, 275, 277, 279) in order to adequately engage with a big toe (i.e., a hallux) of the user.

Although four cuts (260, 262, 264, 266) for separating or defining five platforms (271, 273, 275, 277, 279) are shown in FIG. 2B, in an alternative embodiment, any number of cuts or platforms may be formed in the midsole 252, as discussed in greater detail herein. For example, a midsole may only utilize one cut for physically separating or isolating a first toe platform from a second toe platform. The first toe platform may be configured to engage with only a hallux of a wearer while the second toe platform may be configured to engage with a remaining four toes of the wearer. In another embodiment, a midsole may utilize a flexible material or segment in place of a cut for separating certain toe platforms. Thus, adjacent platforms may be flexibly coupled with one another via the flexible segment and remain independently moveable, but without being physically isolated or separated by a cut, as discussed in more detail herein.

A plurality of holes (280, 281, 282, 283) are formed in the midsole 252 preceding the plurality of cuts (260, 262, 264, 266) at the toe end 204 of the combination 250. These openings may be at the same or similar locations previously described for the toe posts (114, 115, 116, 117) of FIG. 1. Each of the holes (280, 281, 282, 283) is configured to receive a toe post for securing the toe post to the midsole 252, for example via a shank or other stiffening agent, as described in greater detail herein. Thus, the holes (280, 281, 282, 283) may align with one or more of the cuts (260, 262, 264, 266) so that a toe post engaged with one of the holes (280, 281, 282, 283) operates to appropriately separate the user's toes onto one or more of the corresponding platforms (271, 273, 275, 277, 279).

Turning next to FIG. 3A, a bottom view of a combination 300 of a midsole 306 connected with a shank 305 is shown for an article of footwear having a plurality of separated toe platforms and a plurality of toe posts. The midsole 306 may be the same or similar to the midsole 252 of FIG. 2B. The shank 305 is molded or otherwise coupled with the midsole 306 and acts as a stiffening agent or member for resisting bending of the article of footwear. The shank 305 may also provide increased protection of a wearer's foot when the article of footwear is in use by preventing sharp or other rugged objects from protruding through the sole of the article of footwear and contacting the wearer's foot. In one embodiment, the shank 305 may be relatively thin, for example, less than 2.5 mm in thickness. The shank 305 is made of a material for resisting bending of the article of footwear in certain areas of the footwear. The shank 305 may be formed out of one or more of a variety of materials, for example, thermoplastic compounds, carbon fiber, steel, graphite, etc. Certain materials may provide increased stiffness or protection at varying manufacturing costs.

The shank 305 is configured to be positioned between the midsole 306 and an outsole of the article of footwear, as described in greater detail herein. The shank 305 has a base with a heel end or portion 302 and a toe end or portion 304, similar to the midsole 252 of FIG. 2B. In addition, positioned at the toe end 304 of the base, a plurality of planar elements or platforms (331, 333, 335, 337, 339) are physically separated and adjacent from one another via a plurality of cuts (320, 322, 324, 326). These platforms (331, 333, 335, 337, 339) and cuts (320, 322, 324, 326) may have similar features to those previously described for FIGS. 1 and 2B and are configured to allow independent movement of the platforms (331, 333, 335, 337, 339) with respect to each other. The platforms (331, 333, 335, 337, 339) and cuts (320, 322, 324, 326) are configured to align with corresponding platforms and cuts of the midsole 306.

In other words, the first cut 320 in the base of the shank 305 is configured to align with a corresponding first cut of the midsole 306 such that the first platform 331 and the second platform 333 of the base of the shank 305 are physically isolated from one another at opposite sides of the first cut of the midsole 306. Similarly, the second cut 322 in the base of the shank 305 is configured to align with a corresponding second cut of the midsole 306 such that the second platform 333 and the third platform 335 of the base of the shank 305 are physically isolated from one another at opposite sides of the second cut of the midsole 306. The third cut 324 in the base of the shank 305 is configured to align with a corresponding third cut of the midsole 306 such that the third platform 335 and the fourth platform 337 of the base of the shank 305 are physically isolated from one another at opposite sides of the third cut of the midsole 306. The fourth cut 326 in the base of the shank 305 is configured to align with a corresponding fourth cut of the midsole 306 such that the fourth platform 337 and the fifth platform 339 of the base of the shank 305 are physically isolated from one another at opposite sides of the fourth cut of the midsole 306. Thus, independent articulation of one of the platforms (331, 333, 335, 337, 339) of the shank 305 would result in independent articulation of its corresponding platform of the midsole 306. For example, if the shank 305 were utilized with the midsole 252 of FIG. 2B, articulation of the second platform 273 of the midsole 252 would result only in articulation of the second platform 333 of the shank 305.

At a middle section preceding the toe end 304 of the base of the shank 305, an indented portion 314 of the shank 305 includes a plurality of slots 346 disposed therein. The indented portion 314 may be formed via compressing an area of the base of the shank 305 and is configured to receive a fastening component 340. In one embodiment, the indented portion 314 may be compressed by 1 mm and the fastening component 340 may be 1 mm thick, such that the fastening component 340 is flush with the surface of the shank 305 when received by the indented portion 314. The fastening component 340 is configured to cooperate with the indented portion 314 to receive and secure a plurality of toe posts of the article of footwear, for example, toe posts (114, 115, 116, 117) of FIG. 1. A plurality of holes (380, 381, 382, 383) in the base of the shank 305 receive the corresponding plurality of toe posts. The toe posts engage with one of the plurality of indents 344 of the fastening component 340, loop around the fastening component 340 by engaging with a second one of the plurality of indents 344 and finally extend upwards towards the midsole 306 and through one of a plurality of slots 342 of the fastening component 340. The toe posts also extend through a corresponding one of the plurality of slots 346 in the indented portion 314 of the base of the shank 305 and are then secured (e.g., via an adhesive) to the base of the shank 305. Thus, any slippage of a toe post for the article of footwear is minimized both by its looping around the fastening component 340 and via its secure connection to the shank 305.

The fastening component 340 received within the indented portion 314 in the base of the shank 305 additionally provides increased resistance to bending of the shank 305 at the location of the indented portion 314 due to the increased amount of material utilized at that location. For example, if a front or toe portion of the article of footwear gets caught under an object during use and causes the toe portion to bend backwards towards a rear or heel portion, the additional stiffness due to the fastening component 340 within the compressed portion 314 helps to resist such bending. Some bending of the shank 305 in particular areas may be desirable, however, due to the natural movement of the human foot during walking or other activity. To allow such movement, a plurality of slits 312 are formed in the base of the shank 305 adjacent to the indented portion 314. The slits 312 lessen the resistance of the shank 305 to bending, therefore permitting the article of footwear increased flexibility at such locations to accommodate the flexing action of a human foot during walking, running or other athletic movement. Similarly, a plurality of notches 311 are disposed preceding the heel end 302 of the base of the shank 305 for providing reduced resistance to bending at the locations of the plurality of notches 311. An alternative embodiment may used differently sized or configured slits or notches in varying locations, or may use greater or fewer numbers of slits or notches.

The base of the shank 305 additionally includes an opening 310 in the heel end 302 for providing a spring effect during use of the article of footwear when a user's heel exhibits a downward force upon the shank 305 through the sole of the footwear. The opening 310 is formed in the shape of a central circle, substantially centered in the heel end 302 for aligning with a heel of a user's foot and a plurality (e.g., five) of curved extensions extending therefrom around a perimeter of the central circle, thus substantially forming a rounded 5-point star configuration. In an alternative embodiment, any shape or configuration for providing a spring effect upon a heel of a user's foot may be utilized. Similarly, additional or fewer openings in the shank 305 may be utilized in varying locations for providing the desired spring effect upon a wearer's foot during use.

Each of the platforms (331, 333, 335, 337, 339) of the shank 305 include a protrusion configured to extend to or be flush with an outside of the sole of the footwear (e.g., by extending through an outsole of the article of footwear). A first protrusion 359 is positioned along a line substantially centered on the first platform 331. A second protrusion 358 is similarly positioned on the second platform 333. A third protrusion 357 is similarly positioned on the third platform 335. A fourth protrusion 356 is similarly positioned on the fourth platform 337. A fifth protrusion 355 is similarly positioned on the fifth platform 339. Each of the protrusions (359, 358, 357, 356, 355) may travel through the sole of the footwear and may be visible by inspecting an outside layer of the article of footwear. These protrusions (359, 358, 357, 356, 355) may indicate the weardown of the article of footwear and provide an indication on when the footwear should be replaced or otherwise repaired to ensure optimal athleticism. The protrusions may also act as cleats in order to increase the traction performance of the sole of the footwear. For example, the shank 305 may be manufactured of a material more resistant to wear or friction than an outsole of the article of footwear and thus provide a visual indication of the weardown of the outsole of the article of footwear.

Additional heel protrusions (351, 352) located on the heel end 302 of the base of the shank 305 and middle protrusions (353, 354) located on the base of the shank 305 adjacent to the indented portion 314 may be configured to similarly extend to or be flush with the outer sole of the article of the footwear for indicating weardown of their respective portions of the footwear. FIG. 3B shows a side view of the combination 300 of the midsole 306 connected with the shank 305 of FIG. 3A. The protrusions (351, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358) of the shank 305 can be seen from the side extending outwardly to be received by corresponding openings in an outsole of the article of footwear, as described in greater detail herein. Protrusions (352, 359) additionally extend outwardly to be received by a corresponding opening in the outsole of the article of footwear, but are hidden from view.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show bottom and side views, respectively, of an outsole 400 for an article of footwear having a plurality of separated toe platforms and a plurality of toe posts. The outsole 400 may be configured to couple with a midsole including a shank, for example the midsole 306 and the shank 305 of FIGS. 3A-3B. Similar to the discussion above, the outsole 400 has a heel end 402 and a toe end 404 and includes a plurality of cuts (420, 422, 424, 426) in the toe end 404 for defining a plurality of platforms (431, 433, 435, 437, 439). Each of the cuts (420, 422, 424, 426) and the platforms (431, 433, 435, 437, 439) are configured to align with corresponding cuts and platforms in other layers of the article of footwear, for example, the midsole 306 and the shank 305 of FIGS. 3A-3B. Thus, for example, when the outsole 400 is part of an assembled article of footwear (e.g., a midsole, a shank and an outsole) the cuts (420, 422, 424, 426) of the outsole 400 are located at the same positioning for cuts in the toe portions of the other layers making up the article of footwear. Each of the platforms (431, 433, 435, 437, 439) of the outsole 400 may therefore cooperate with platforms of the midsole and the shank to independently articulate.

The outsole 400 may be formed of one or more of a variety of materials (e.g., a thermoplastic compound) and may include a variety of material textures, types, and/or configurations. As shown in FIG. 4A, for example, the toe end 404 of the outsole 400 is manufactured with a first texture 450 (e.g., a diamond pattern) for improved grip when engaged with a surface under the outsole 400 during use. The top of the first texture 450 may be 4 mm thick while the bottom may be 2 mm thick. A second texture 446 (e.g., a golf-ball pattern) extends in strips on one side (e.g., a lateral side) of the outsole 400 and surrounds an infinity or figure-eight shaped portion and may be more flexible than the first texture 450 to allow for diminished resistance to flexing in order to accommodate the natural bending of a human foot during movement. The top of the second texture 446 may be 3 mm thick while the bottom may be 2 mm thick.

The outsole 400 also utilizes a third texture 444 (e.g., a micro-teeth pattern) disposed adjacent to the second texture 446 on the lateral side of the outsole 400 and may be more rigid than the second texture 446 and exhibit improved gripping performance when compared to the second texture 446. A fourth texture 448 is disposed on an opposite side of the outsole 400 from the third texture 444 (e.g., on a medial side) and may be more flexible with less gripping potential than the third texture 444 since it is positioned in an area of the outsole 400 that is less prone to be used for athletic friction. Finally, a fifth texture 443 is disposed within the infinity or figure-eight shape extending from the heel end 402 of the outsole to an area preceding the toe end 404. This fifth texture 443 may provide increased spring or rebounding force to a foot of a wearer during use. The fifth texture 443 is surrounded by a first boundary material 441 and a second boundary material 440 for helping maintain the direction of the spring or rebounding force of the fifth texture 443 to the foot of the user during operation. Flexible strips 442 may be used in the second boundary material 440 for allowing flexing of the infinity or figure-eight shape. Alternative embodiments may utilize any of a variety of different textures, shapes, or texture placements or configurations for providing desired traction, gripping and/or rebounding characteristics. For example, circular, rectangular or other ribbed shaped protrusions or indentations may be utilized upon the outsole 400.

A plurality of openings (451, 452, 453, 454, 455, 456, 457, 458, 459) are disposed in the outsole 400 for receiving a plurality of protrusions of a shank that is coupled with the outsole. The protrusions may be the same or similar to the protrusions (351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359) previously described for the shank 305 of FIGS. 3A-3B. In one embodiment, the thickness of the outsole 400 may be the same as the thickness of the protrusions received in the plurality of openings (451, 452, 453, 454, 455, 456, 457, 458, 459). Thus, an exterior surface of the outsole 400 may be flush with the protrusions received in the plurality of openings (451, 452, 453, 454, 455, 456, 457, 458, 459). FIG. 4B demonstrates a side view of the outsole 400. An upper surface 462 of the outsole 400 is configured to engage or couple with a midsole and/or a shank while a bottom surface 464 of the outsole 400 is configured to face away from the midsole and/or the shank and represents an exterior surface for a completed article of footwear.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of a completed article of footwear 500 having a plurality of separated toe platforms and a plurality of toe posts. The footwear 500 includes a heel end 502 and a toe end 504 and is configured to engage with a human foot during use. The footwear 500 has a sole including three layers: a topsole layer 570, a midsole layer 560 and an outsole layer 550. An internal shank is molded between the midsole layer 560 and the outsole layer 550, the same or similar as previously described. The footwear 500 includes an upper 510 (e.g., a strap), which may be the same or similar to upper 110 of FIG. 1, connected at a side location 512 along the perimeter of the footwear 500. The upper 510 similarly connects at an opposite side location (not shown). Four toe posts (514, 515, 516, 517) connect the upper 510 to the sole of the footwear 500, the same or similar as previously described.

Turning next to FIG. 6, an article of footwear 600 is shown. Generally, the footwear 600 may have certain structure and functional features that are similar to those of previously described for FIGS. 1-5. Notwithstanding these similar features, the footwear 600 may be distinguished by utilizing only one cut for independent articulation of a user's toes when wearing the footwear 600, as described in greater detail herein.

The footwear 600 has a heel portion 602 and a toe portion 604. The footwear 600 has a sole including a topsole 606 connected with a midsole 652 that fastens with an upper 610 at side or lateral locations 612 and 613. A plurality of four toe posts (614, 615, 616, 617) connect with the upper 610 and aid in securing the upper 610 to the sole of the footwear 600, the same or similar as previously described. An ankle strap 608 is also fastened at the heel portion 602 of the footwear for providing additional stabilization or securement with a wearer's foot when the footwear 600 is in use.

At the toe portion 604 of the footwear 600, a plurality of divisions (620, 622, 624, 626) divide the toe portion 604 into a plurality of toe platforms for engaging with a bottom surface of a foot (e.g., one or more toes) of the wearer. The first division 620 is a cut that physically separates a first toe platform 631 from a second toe platform 633, the same or similar as previously described. The remaining three divisions (622, 624, 626) divide a third toe platform 635 from the second toe platform 633, a fourth toe platform 637 from the third toe platform 635 and a fifth toe platform 639 from the fourth toe platform 637 but do not physically isolate them from one another (i.e. the second toe platform 633, the third toe platform 635, the fourth toe platform 637 and the fifth platform 639 remain coupled together via the remaining three divisions (622, 624, 626), as described in greater detail herein. In one embodiment, any of the plurality of divisions (620, 622, 624, 626) may be a flexible segment or material that flexibly couples or divides adjacent toe platforms from one another. Any of a variety of configurations involving cuts and/or flexible segments may be used for the plurality of divisions (620, 622, 624, 626). Greater or fewer divisions may also be utilized in an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 7A shows a side view of a combination 700 of a midsole connected with an internal shank for an article of footwear having two separated toe platforms and a plurality of toe posts. Similar to the combination 300 for FIG. 3B, the combination 700 has a heel end 702 and a toe end 704 and a plurality of protrusions (712, 714, 715, 716, 717, 718, 719) of the internal shank can be seen extending downward and away from the midsole. FIG. 7B shows a side view of an outsole 720 for connection with the combination 700 of FIG. 7A. The outsole 720 similarly shares the heel end 702 and the toe end 704. The outsole 720 has a top surface 722 for mating or connecting with the combination 700 and a bottom surface 724 for forming an exterior surface of the article of footwear. FIG. 7C demonstrates a side view of an assembly 750 of the combination 700 with the outsole 720. The plurality of protrusions (712, 714, 715, 716, 717, 718, 719) of the shank can no longer be seen from the side because they are contained within pockets or holes of the outsole 720, the same or similar as previously described.

FIG. 8 shows a bottom view of a combination 800 of a midsole 806 and an internal shank 805 for an article of footwear having two separated toe platforms and a plurality of toe posts. The combination 800 has a heel end 802 and a toe end 804 and may be the same or similar as described for the combination 700 of FIG. 7A. Moreover, certain structure or features of the shank 805 or the midsole 806 may be the same or similar as previously described, for example in FIG. 3A. The shank 805 includes notches 811 and slits 812, the same or similar as previously described for the shank 305 of FIG. 3A. Moreover, the shank 805 includes protrusions 851, 852, 853, 854, 855, 856, 857, 858, 859) the same or similar as previously described for the shank 305 of FIG. 3A. A plurality of holes (880, 881, 882, 883) are disposed in the shank 805 for receiving toe posts of the article of footwear and an indented portion 814 with slots 846 for receiving a fastening component (not shown) is also included as part of the shank 805, the same or similar as previously described in FIG. 3A. However, only one cut 820 is made in the toe end 804 of the shank 805 for separating two toe platforms. Thus, a first toe of a wearer (e.g., a hallux) may contact one of the toe platforms while the remaining four toes of the wearer's foot contact a second of the toe platforms.

Turning next to FIG. 9, a bottom view of an outsole 900 for an article of footwear having two separated toe platforms and a plurality of toe posts is shown. Generally, certain structure or features of the outsole 900 may be the same or similar as previously described for the outsole 400 in FIG. 4A. Nonetheless, the outsole 900 is shown with only one toe cut.

Similar to the outsole 400 of FIG. 4A, the outsole 900 may be configured to couple with a midsole including a shank, for example the midsole 806 and the shank 805 of FIG. 8 or the midsole 306 and the shank 305 of FIG. 3A. The outsole 900 has a heel end 902 and a toe end 904 and includes a first division 920 in the toe end 904 in the form of a cut for physically separating or isolating a first toe platform 931 from a second toe platform 933. A second division 922 is in the toe end 904 in the form of a flexible segment that operates to flexibly divide a third toe platform 935 from the second toe platform 933. A third division 924 is in the toe end 904 in the form of a flexible segment that operates to flexibly divide a fourth toe platform 937 from the third toe platform 935. A fourth division 926 is in the toe end 904 in the form of a flexible segment that operates to flexibly divide a fifth toe platform 939 from the fourth toe platform 937.

By utilizing the outsole 900 in an article of footwear with corresponding cuts and/or flexible connections in other layers of the footwear (e.g., the combination 300 of FIG. 3A), the flexible segments (922, 924, 926) may provide for articulation between the four flexibly connected toe platforms (933, 935, 937, 939). In an alternative embodiment, if such articulation via the flexible segments (922, 924, 926) is desired, but on a reduced basis, the connected shank or midsole may be constructed without any such corresponding cuts and/or flexible connections (e.g., the combination 800 of FIG. 8). In yet another alternative embodiment, if no articulation via flexible segments is to be included, the outsole may be manufactured without any flexible segments dividing various of the toe platforms.

The outsole 900 may be formed of one or more of a variety of materials and may include a variety of material textures, types, and/or configurations, the same or similar as previously described for FIG. 4A. For example, a first texture 948 may be used on the toe end 904, a second texture 946 may be used on one or both sides (e.g., a medial side and a lateral side) of the outsole 900 and to surround an infinity or figure eight portion, a third texture 944 may be used between the second texture 946 and a fourth texture 943 may be used within the infinity or figure-eight portion and surrounded by a first boundary material 941 and a second boundary material 940 having flexible strips or cuts 942, the same or similar as previously described for FIG. 4A. In addition, a plurality of openings (951, 952, 953, 954, 955, 956, 957, 958, 959) are disposed in the outsole 900 for receiving a plurality of protrusions of a shank that is coupled with the outsole 900, the same or similar as previously described for FIG. 4A.

FIG. 10 shows a side view of a completed article of footwear 1000 having two separated toe platforms and a plurality of toe posts. The footwear 1000 includes a heel end 1002 and a toe end 1004 and is configured to engage with a human foot during use. The footwear 1000 has a sole including three layers: a topsole layer 1070, a midsole layer 1060 and an outsole layer 1050. An internal shank is molded between the midsole layer 1060 and the outsole layer 1050, the same or similar as previously described. The footwear 1000 includes an upper 1010, which may be the same or similar to the upper 610 of FIG. 6, connected at a side location 1012 along the perimeter of the footwear 1000. The upper 1010 similarly connects at an opposite side location (not shown). Four toe posts (1014, 1015, 1016, 1017) connect the upper 1010 to the sole of the footwear 1000, the same or similar as previously described. An ankle strap 1008, which may be the same or similar to the ankle strap 608 of FIG. 6 is also connected with the sole of the footwear 1000 for providing further support, stabilization or engagement with the foot of a user.

FIG. 11 shows a top view of two articles of footwear (e.g., sandals). A first article of footwear 1100 includes a heel portion 1102 and a toe portion 1104 and has an upper 1110 connected at lateral locations (1112, 1113) of the footwear 1100. Generally, the footwear 1100 may have certain structure and functional features that are similar to those of previously described for FIGS. 1-5. Notwithstanding these similar features, the footwear 1100 may be distinguished by utilizing only one toe post 1114 for engaging with a foot of a wearer. Thus, the toe post 1114 is configured to be disposed between two of the wearer's toes without any additional toe posts disposed between the other toes of the wearer's foot.

Similarly, the second footwear 1150 includes a heel portion 1152 and a toe portion 1154 and has an upper 1160 connected at lateral locations (1162, 1163) of the footwear 1150. Generally, the footwear 1150 may have certain structure and functional features that are similar to those of previously described for FIGS. 6-10. Notwithstanding these similar features, the footwear 1150 may be distinguished by utilizing only one toe post 1164 for engaging with a foot of a wearer. Thus, the toe post 1164 is configured to be disposed between two of the wearer's toes without any additional toe posts disposed between the other toes of the wearer's foot. In an alternative embodiment, any number of toe posts may be utilized for either the first footwear 1100 or the second footwear 1152.

Although FIGS. 1-11 disclose particular footwear configurations using particularly shaped elements and structural features, other possible configurations or elements may be utilized in an alternative embodiment. For example, an article of footwear may utilize any number of toe cuts, divisions or toe posts in an alternative embodiment or may use greater or fewer layers making up the sole of the footwear. In addition, although sandal-style footwear has been shown in the various figures, other types of footwear may be created with the aspects or features described in the above embodiments. The exact configurations or elements shown need not be utilized in certain articles of footwear and certain features may be replaced, removed or added and the placement or configuration of such elements may be modified from the precise structure or positioning described in the above embodiments.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in an illustrative style. Accordingly, the terminology employed throughout should be read in a non-limiting manner. Although minor modifications to the teachings herein will occur to those well versed in the art, it shall be understood that what is intended to be circumscribed within the scope of the patent warranted hereon are all such embodiments that reasonably fall within the scope of the advancement to the art hereby contributed, and that that scope shall not be restricted, except in light of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shank for footwear comprising: a base having a heel end and a toe end, the base configured to be coupled within a sole of the footwear and having a first planar element positioned at the toe end of the base and a second planar element positioned at the toe end of the base, the second planar element adjacent to the first planar element wherein the first planar element and the second planar element are configured to independently move with respect to each other.
 2. The shank of claim 1 wherein the base, the first planar element and the second planar element are configured to be formed from a single shank material.
 3. The shank of claim 2 wherein the shank material forming the base, the first planar element and the second planar element is a thermoplastic compound.
 4. The shank of claim 2 wherein the shank material forming the base, the first planar element and the second planar element is selected from the group consisting of carbon fiber, steel and graphite.
 5. The shank of claim 1 further comprising a first protrusion positioned on the first planar element and a second protrusion positioned on the second planar element, the first and second protrusions configured to extend through a sole of the footwear for indicating wear-down and/or traction performance of the sole of the footwear.
 6. The shank of claim 5 further comprising a third protrusion positioned on the heel end of the base and configured to extend through the sole of the footwear for indicating wear-down of the sole of the footwear.
 7. The shank of claim 1 further comprising an indented portion in the base formed between the heel end of the base and the toe end of the base, the indented portion configured to receive a fastening component for coupling with a toe post of the footwear.
 8. The shank of claim 7 wherein the indented portion in the base is formed by compressing the indented portion of the base.
 9. An internal shank for an article of footwear comprising: a base having a heel portion and a toe portion, the base adapted to be molded within a sole of the article of footwear; a first cut disposed through the toe portion of the base and extending along a first axis, the first cut separating a first platform and a second platform of the base; a second cut disposed through the toe portion of the base adjacent to the first cut and extending along a second axis, the second cut separating a third platform of the base from the second platform of the base; a third cut disposed through the toe portion of the base adjacent to the second cut and extending along a third axis, the third cut separating a fourth platform of the base from the third platform of the base; and a fourth cut disposed through the toe portion of the base adjacent to the third cut and extending along a fourth axis, the fourth cut separating a fifth platform of the base from the fourth platform of the base.
 10. The internal shank of claim 9 wherein the heel portion of the base includes an opening for providing a spring effect to a user of the article of footwear.
 11. The internal shank of claim 10 wherein the opening is in the shape of a central circle with a plurality of extensions extending outwardly therefrom.
 12. The internal shank of claim 9 wherein the base has a compressed portion between the toe portion and the heel portion, the compressed portion defining a plurality of slots for receiving a corresponding plurality of toe posts of the article of footwear.
 13. The internal shank of claim 12 further comprising a fastening component received by the compressed portion for securing the plurality of toe posts.
 14. The internal shank of claim 9 wherein the base has a plurality of slits disposed between the heel portion and the toe portion for increasing the flexibility of the base at the locations of the plurality of slits.
 15. The internal shank of claim 9 wherein the base has at least one notch extending from an outer edge of the base for providing reduced resistance to bending at the location of the at least one notch.
 16. An internal stiffening member for an athletic sandal having a midsole and an outsole with independently articulating toe platforms, the stiffening member comprising: a base coupled between the midsole and the outsole of the sandal, the base having a first platform and a second platform separated from the first platform via a cut in the base; a first protrusion disposed on the first platform extending through the outsole; and a second protrusion disposed on the second platform extending through the outsole.
 17. The internal stiffening member of claim 16 wherein the base is less than 2.5 mm thick.
 18. The internal stiffening member of claim 16 wherein the base includes a third platform separated from the second platform via a second cut in the base, a fourth platform separated from the third platform via a third cut in the base and a fifth platform separated from the fourth platform via a fourth cut in the base, and wherein each of the first platform, the second platform, the third platform, the fourth platform and the fifth platform may independently articulate with respect to one another.
 19. The internal stiffening member of claim 18 wherein the base includes an opening configured to provide a spring effect if a force is exerted on the base in a location of the opening.
 20. The internal stiffening member of claim 19 wherein the base is configured to engage with at least one toe strap of the sandal, the at least one toe strap extending through the midsole. 